Back to 1988 114

Chapter 114: Professor Zhang

After Mi Yang went back and thought about it all night, he gave Wei Xian an answer the next day. He still wanted to go.

Wei Xian’s side was very happy. If it were any other child, he would not have made this request before the exam. But Mi Yang was someone he had watched grow up. This child had liked to be in contact with these things from the very beginning and had persisted for ten years. He would sit there all day without a single complaint. Unlike others, he had been determined to do this from the very beginning, so he was also willing to give him a push when he had the opportunity.

Wei Xian said, “Don’t worry about your schoolwork. Luochuan will have tutoring first. If you have any problems later, I’ll give you a separate session. You two both have a very good foundation. I don’t think there will be any problems at all. Also, for this activity you’re participating in, I’ll also have Old Sun apply to your school. After all, it’s a joint activity with the provincial museum. We’ll strive for a city-level award, which will add some points to your exam.”

Mi Yang was very surprised and seriously thanked Wei Xian. Wei Xian waved his hand. “You’ll be doing them a great favor by going. Old Sun was so anxious this time. It’s a real gain to have found you, hehe.”

Mi Yang smiled. “Actually, I also think I’ve gained a lot.”

Professor Sun’s side was very happy to hear the news. They hit it off immediately and contacted Mi Yang’s school to have him seconded.

This was the first time a high school student had been named by a university professor. The leaders of the school held a meeting and, after a brief discussion, signed off on it. However, because it was a special case, it was not publicized. They just said that Mi Yang had gone for an exchange and study.

Bai Luochuan specially took a day off to go back and help him pack his luggage. Mi Yang didn’t have many things, but the young master Bai had bought a lot, and he brought them to his house in bags. Mi Yang saw that his suitcase was already full and quickly tried to stop him, “That’s enough. I can’t fit so much in this suitcase.”

Bai Luochuan looked at the suitcase for a while and nodded. “It is a little small. You wait a minute. I’ll go and get a bigger one…”

Mi Yang held his arm. “No, no, this is enough.”

Bai Luochuan frowned. “I’ve checked the weather. It’s cold and windy over there. You have to bring a set of windproof clothes, right?”

Mi Yang flipped through his suitcase. “This is fine. I’ll be wearing my winter overcoat, and I’ll also bring a windproof hat and a scarf. That’s enough for the cold.”

Mi Zehai brought over a thick sweater and was also holding his phone with his shoulder, talking on the phone. As he agreed, he said to Mi Yang, “Take this with you too, and the small medicine box. Your mom called and said you must bring these two.”

Cheng Qing’s voice came from the phone, “Yangyang, be good. It’s always good to bring more common medicines.”

The whole family was packing for Mi Yang. In the end, the suitcase could barely be closed.

Bai Luochuan stood to the side and was still discussing with Mi Zehai, “Uncle Mi, is one suitcase too little? Little Good Boy is going out for two weeks. This is not enough, right?”

Mi Zehai was also worried. “Yes, it’s also the first time he’s been out alone for so long.”

These two wished they could pack a whole room into the suitcase. Mi Yang couldn’t help but laugh. “If you keep packing, it’ll probably be enough for me to be out for two years.”

Bai Luochuan immediately said, “Then don’t bring it. This is enough.”

Mi Zehai said, “Then take some more money. If you need anything when you get there, you can buy it yourself. Did your teacher say where you’re going? Are there any shops around?” He was worried again, always feeling that his son would be roughing it.

Mi Yang nodded. “I’ve asked. Professor Sun said we’re going to Turpan for a meeting first, and then to Hami the next day. There will be a car to pick us up and drop us off all the way, and there will be many people together.”

Mi Zehai said, “That’s good. You remember to stay with everyone. If there’s an accident on the way, call us. It doesn’t matter if you lose anything. As long as you’re safe, you know?”

Mi Yang nodded in agreement.

Mi Zehai answered a call and went out by himself. He could vaguely be heard talking about work in the living room. He was also very busy.

Bai Luochuan went over and pushed the suitcase to the door, then closed the door and sat on the bed, reaching out to hug Mi Yang, his head buried in his chest. After a long while, he sighed. “You’re going for so long.”

Mi Yang stood there and stroked his hair. Bai Luochuan’s hair was a little longer, fluffy and soft. When his fingers touched it, it was as if it were flowing through his fingers. He stroked it a couple of times and smiled. “I might be back early. The person in charge on Professor Sun’s side called and said it would be two weeks at most. I’ve asked. They only went for 10 days last time.”

Bai Luochuan held him and was silent for a while, still not saying a word.

Mi Yang whispered to him, “Shall we go together next time?”

Bai Luochuan nodded. After a while, he said, “I’ll stay the night tonight.”

Mi Yang agreed, went to get him a pillow and a quilt, and after he was settled, he let him go to sleep.

The young master Bai tossed and turned all night and didn’t sleep well. Mi Yang had been busy all day, running to the dean’s office several times and also handing over his duties to the people there. He had managed to chat with him for a while before he drowsily fell asleep. In the middle of the night, he was held a little tighter and only let out a “mm,” obediently finding a more comfortable position in his arms and continuing to sleep.

The next morning, when they were about to leave, Bai Luochuan and Mi Yang were walking behind. Mi Yang glanced at the time. “It’s almost nine. We’re late for class.”

Bai Luochuan felt that it was boring and frowned. “You’re not here. I don’t even want to go to school.”

Mi Yang smiled. “That won’t do. I’ve missed two weeks of class. I’m still counting on you to study well and tutor me.”

The corner of Bai Luochuan’s mouth moved, but he couldn’t smile. Mi Zehai had already gone to work. Mi Yang locked the door and went out with him. It was snowing a little outside. The weather in late winter and early spring was still cold. Bai Luochuan held an umbrella to cover them both. After they left the alley, he waited with him for the school bus to come.

Mi Yang looked down at his watch and felt that it was about time. He was about to talk to Bai Luochuan when his vision suddenly went dark. The umbrella the young master Bai was holding had been lowered, and the two of them were hidden between the umbrella and the wall. The other held him tightly and whispered, “Little Good Boy, give me a kiss.”

Mi Yang tilted his head up and gave him a kiss. His lips were slightly cold, and their breaths intertwined.

The light snow outside the umbrella was still falling. Not long after he had lifted the umbrella again, the school bus arrived.

Mi Yang waved at him and smiled. “I’m leaving now. You should study hard. I’ll check your notes when I get back.”

The corner of Bai Luochuan’s mouth lifted a little. “Okay.”

The ground was covered with a thin layer of ice, and the suitcase was slipping as he dragged it. Bai Luochuan watched as Mi Yang slowly got on the bus and only left after the bus had driven away.

There were more than a dozen people in Professor Sun’s group. Mi Yang was the youngest among them, and his face was also the most tender. The older brothers and sisters on the bus were all very good to him. When they heard that he was a high school student, they all smiled. “So young. The teacher is employing child labor!”

Another one said, “It doesn’t even count as employment. There’s no pay, right?”

A female graduate student said, “All of you, move aside. Don’t scare my little junior brother.” She was very frank and introduced herself to Mi Yang, “My name is Shan Jing. I’m also from the same high school as you. You can just call me Sister Jing. I’m in charge of leading the team this time. The teacher is usually busy with his research and can’t even take care of his own meals. If there’s anything, you can just tell me.”

Mi Yang quickly nodded. “Okay, thank you, Sister Jing.”

The one who had just joked with Mi Yang about child labor also came over and said, “Sister Jing, you used to dote on me the most. Now you only dote on the little ones.”

Shan Jing said, “Nonsense. That’s because you’ve gotten fat. I only dote on the good-looking ones. You can talk to me again after you’ve lost weight.”

The people on the bus all started to laugh, and Mi Yang also started to laugh, and the distance between them also became a little closer.

The group of people had a long and tiring journey and first arrived in Turpan. Professor Sun went to meet with a few professors there for a symposium.

Shan Jing had intended to take Mi Yang to get familiar with the place. When she was taking the meeting minutes, she took him in to listen. She said to Mi Yang, “I’ll take the first half, and you’ll be in charge of recording the second half. You just have to record our professor’s part.”

Mi Yang nodded in agreement.

The meeting was about the restoration of ancient textiles and some silk documents unearthed from a few ancient tombs here, which were very precious.

Shan Jing was a fast recorder and even took the time to glance at Mi Yang’s side. To her surprise, this new little guy’s records were both clear and good, which made her a little happy. She had just said that and hadn’t had much hope, but seeing Mi Yang like this, she started to look forward to it. No matter where, it was always much more relaxing to have someone who could help by your side.

Halfway through the meeting, two people suddenly walked in. One was older, in his sixties, with a slight hunchback but still looking strong. The other was younger, wearing a slightly ill-fitting cashmere sweater and a pair of jeans. He was quite handsome when he smiled, the roguish kind. At school, he would have been a problem student that gave the teachers a headache.

Shan Jing was a little excited and whispered, “…Ah, it’s Professor Zhang!”